When I think of houseplants that are easy to care for, simple for beginners to gardening, and rather enjoyable to behold, I count Mother-in-law’s Tongue among the tally. This starter houseplant is amazing! It is tolerant of slight neglect, only needs to be watered moderately, prefers partial shade but can survive in full Arkansas sun (the proof is in the picture), and grows quickly so that I have a beautiful plant to look upon for months at a time! Thankfully, I’ve discovered that you can also buy Mother-In-Law’s Tongue houseplants for nearly anyone because of just how simple it is to care for them!

I’ll admit it. I traded a green thumb for other talents. While I still contend that the powers that be have brilliantly gifted me with these, it does my heart no good to enjoy a home with pitiful-looking houseplants. For people like me who have had to earn our gardening merits, a really great basic is the Mother-In-Law’s Tongue houseplant. With the ability to produce beautiful white to cream-colored blooms next to the bold interweaving of light and dark green striped leaves, Mother-In-Law’s Tongue beautifully completes the décor of any home or garden.

Also known as Snake Plant or by its scientific name, Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii, Mother-In-Law’s Tongue delivers boldly striped beauty in a very proud fashion for homes needing a subtle dash of attitude in the home décor. Unfortunately, my house is filled to the brim with this type of confident charm and our houseplants need only add casual visual appeal. The good news for me is that Mother-In-Law’s Tongue houseplants can be stylish, subtle, casual, bold, decorated creatively, or used just to add color to a bland room. The sky, rather the ceiling I suppose, is the limit with Snake Plant houseplants.

My good friend Jamie Jamison Adams of the Ask The Expert blogs has proven that Mother-In-Law’s Tongue is also a very sustainable garden plant. Even better! Arkansas heat can sometimes feel like Calcutta in July only more humid. Though typically thriving in indirect light, Jamie’s Sansevieria plant accents her garden and has bloomed nicely in full sun and a healthy dose of Arkansas heat. While Jamie is an expert plant care provider, experienced gardeners, beginning gardeners and everyone in between should feel at ease with caring for Mother-In-Law’s Tongue plants. Busy lives seem only to be getting busier. For the busiest of us all, these plants are simple and hardly time-consuming, in other words, perfect houseplants!

Buy Sansevieria For Your Garden!

Ask the Expert: Is a Peace Lily poisonous to pets.

I have one and caught my pet bitting it. Tina

Ask the Expert: what kind of plant is this? is it safe for pets?

I can’t find it on the internet….it’s one of the only things I can grow inside and not kill, because I’m not very good with house plants. Also, I’m keeping it away from my cats since I don’t know what it is or if it’s poisonous. Could you tell me what it is called, and if it’s safe for pets?

Thank you,

Lee Ann / Fort Worth

Lee Ann,

You have a Kalanchoe. Although I haven’t heard of any cats having a problem with Kalanchoe, it is listed as a plant that has some toxicity for cats. According to the ASPCA poison plant list “This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate”.  Dogs can also be affected.  However, it is my understanding that they would have to ingest a fair dose to cause severe problems.  Most animals stay away from the plants that are bad for them.  Azaleas are listed as toxic to dogs, but my dogs have lived around Azalea for six years.  If you have a very curious cat who likes to chew on inappropriate items, I would keep it away from the Kalanchoe.

Ask the Expert: In our small town we have a problem with deer. Each section of town seems to have it’s own herd. They eat all our fir trees and now eat tomatoes plants,green peppers and even marigolds. We have tried different ways to keep them away.ie. human hair different sprays and nothing seems to work. Any suggestion?Please contact me if you can help. Thanks Judie

ask the expert

I was wandering if Lucky Bamboo plants are harmful to cats & dogs? My co worker is looking in purchasing one.

“The National Animal Poison Control Center says that certain types of lilies can cause renal failure in cats that have ingested any part of the lily. Flower Shop Network recommends keeping lilies out of the reach of cats. It is important to note that lilies do not pose a problem for other pets or humans.”